The Network, which is open to investigators from across the GW4 Alliance, is intended to facilitate interdisciplinary working, drive innovative approaches to mental health research, and accelerate progress in addressing key challenges and questions across the fields of mental health and mental illness.
Improving mental health outcomes forms a core component of GW4’s strategic focus on advancing health and wellbeing research and innovation for all, as set out in the Alliance’s recently launched Strategic Vision 2023 -2028. Research into neuroscience and mental health is an area of complementary strength between GW4 universities, and is a critical societal challenge, with 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health problem each year.
In September, investigators from across the Alliance gathered for an initial scoping workshop, with representatives from the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter giving an overview of the mental health research being undertaken within their institutions, highlighting access to resources, discussing shared research interests, and potential areas for future collaborations.
The online workshop, attended by around 100 representatives from across the four universities, covered research interests spanning a number of different themes, including:
- Neuroscience of Mental Health & Discovery Science
- Young People’s Mental Health
- Diagnostic Approaches to Mental Health
- Social and Environmental Drivers of Mental Health and Illness